So long 2011...

I have been wanting to update but something always seems to get in the way. It only seemed appropriate to get serious tonight since it is the last day of 2011. I honestly dont know what to say about this year except I am delighted to see it go. We have been on some kind of crazy adventure this year searching for home, but honestly I have not found joy in being homeless. Maybe its my age or my mental state but I felt lost like a boat without a paddle. I seem to need security and all the trappings of a home in order to be happy. I am praying to be centered, productive, giving of my time, energized, one of those people that seems genuinely happy and finds the joy in each day.
I want to be my own best friend in 2012...I want to be creative to an extreme. I want to be somebody of worth. " You is kind, you is smart, you is important." Best line ever and something to strive for each and every day. I need a purpose and I promise myself this is the year I find it. I plan to make a difference in others lives with simple acts of kindness.
I want to find joy in life and feel like I deserve that personal high. I find the idea of a new year always seems to offer hope and another chance to go be amazing.

I guess this day of the year has to be my favorite because it is the only one we were all together again. Its so difficult to make something so incredible as a family and then its gone forever but for brief moments of togetherness. Life is an adventure good or bad and what you make it for sure.
Happy 2012 to all of you and may all our dreams and wishes come true.
See you on the flip side...

What the heck?

I have been thinking about blogging almost daily...Timothy and I even discussed how we both needed to update and I see he actually did it while I just continued to 'think' about it. Where the heck does time go??
We have been busy peeps around here lately and making good progress with the usual bumps in the road. For some reason our HOA has taken us on as problem residents and just don't seem to like the way we are doing business. I have tried fighting back with barbed email replies and now I have moved on to apologetic dumb person. Let's see what works best.

I thought I might start with the REAL Christmas tree (as in not a banana tree) we brought home and the boys getting it lit up and the train in motion. Some traditions never change...

 

Here we have the usual Buster in a box photo...he loved it because he could even see out once he entered!

Now I must tell you this beautiful tree is one step away from a big bonfire. We seem to have forgotten how quickly trees dry out in the desert and everyday I find another ornament slipping off the dry brittle branches. Not sure if it will make Christmas but no matter what it is coming down on the 25th before we torch our house. :^<

This is our yard this week and I cannot describe how much dust and dirt has entered our house in the process. While they were cutting the cement there was a dust cloud floating out into the neighborhood...guess we will invite everyone to a party soon to get back into their good graces.  Grace seems to be the Vanna White for my photos...she gives you a scale perspective I guess.
The plan is to add paver stones around the pool today and then pour cement tomorrow. Its going to be amazing and we cannot wait to actually sit outside and relax when its done.

Here we have the lovely Gracie enjoying the evening spa time!

Here is the best part of our week and Timothy I apologize we did not fire it up while you were here working your tail off. We owe you one buddy. Cocktails in the spa for the first time after a day of labor...oh yeah...life is good!

Christmas tree...

We spent the day visiting nurseries looking for trees and such to enhance our yard. We found an acacia tree and an olive tree for our front yard. We opted for the 15 gal size since they were a fraction of the cost of the bigger boys. We decided we have time to watch them grow at those prices. We also added a few fun desert palms and an elephant paw palm. From there we went to the Old Town Mexican Pottery shop and bought a couple of nice pots to use around the pool.

We were feeling like it was a successful day even tho I did not get to check off much on my to do list.  After dinner my man invited me to go along to Home Depot...again....sigh....

We also decided to look for our Christmas tree to finalize the festivities going on in our house. I am pretty sure he used that to get me in the car, oh and he invited Gracie along. That ALWAYS works!
I dont know what happened to us but we came home with this sweet baby instead of a noble fir.

Our pool is a lovely light blue so not sure why it matches the tree. I just didnt want you all to think ALGAE!

Its a BANANA TREE!! I am so excited to have found one and think it will look amazing in our yard...but its for sure not the Christmas tree I was searching for! Crazy kids!
We also had the cement/pavers guys by today and they said maybe the 12th which would be hopefully finished before Rande arrives on the 17th. I am feeling good about December even if I have to light up the banana tree~
We have a very busy weekend with Old Town art festival, golf, Christmas parade down Palm Canyon, neighborhood dinner party and hopefully we get some Christmas lights hung up outside. I'll let you know how it goes~

Hello December!

We have been making some great progress this past week and yes, you will have to share our joy. These are photos of the before window treatments. You have never seen such a sorry lot and we seriously replaced every room but two and probably should have done them as well. Nothing hung right or worked well. We are so happy to have them gone!

These are the lovely window treatments that came with our house. I would like you to know they were all gone this morning before the trash man arrived...to be repurposed by who knows who! Who cares who is more like it. I love sharing rather than filling some dumpsite tho so please keep checking our trash!

So you somewhat get the idea that the windows all look much better, cleaner and easier to direct the sunshine.

This is a before but not a great one.

This is our fireplace now...oh so cozy!

We purchased new fake logs since the previous owners needed the ones that came with the house and they make for a very romantic cozy fire now. Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas and we are getting ready!